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Federal agents with the Department of Homeland Security, along with assistance from ICE and the ATF, raided a home in the 10700 block of Mendoza Rd. in Moreno Valley early Friday morning June 16, 2017. Approximately two dozen heavily armed federal agents served arrest and search warrants at the residence, 8 people were detained and handcuffed with at least one being arrested. There was no immediate word on who or what were the targets. An indictment was expected to be unsealed later Friday that would shed light on the case. ( Will Lester-SCNG/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin)

Federal agents with the Department of Homeland Security, along with assistance from ICE and the ATF, raided a home in the 10700 block of Mendoza Rd. in Moreno Valley early Friday morning June 16, 2017. Approximately two dozen heavily armed federal agents served arrest and search warrants at the residence, 8 people were detained and handcuffed with at least one being arrested. There was no immediate word on who or what were the targets. An indictment was expected to be unsealed later Friday that would shed light on the case. ( Will Lester-SCNG/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin)

Federal agents with the Department of Homeland Security, along with assistance from ICE and the ATF, raided a home in the 10700 block of Mendoza Rd. in Moreno Valley early Friday morning June 16, 2017. Approximately two dozen heavily armed federal agents served arrest and search warrants at the residence, 8 people were detained and handcuffed with at least one being arrested. There was no immediate word on who or what were the targets. An indictment was expected to be unsealed later Friday that would shed light on the case. ( Will Lester-SCNG/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin)

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Federal agents with the Department of Homeland Security, along with assistance from ICE and the ATF, raided a home in the 10700 block of Mendoza Rd. in Moreno Valley early Friday morning June 16, 2017. Approximately two dozen heavily armed federal agents served arrest and search warrants at the residence, 8 people were detained and handcuffed with at least one being arrested. There was no immediate word on who or what were the targets. An indictment was expected to be unsealed later Friday that would shed light on the case. ( Will Lester-SCNG/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin)

Federal agents with the Department of Homeland Security, along with assistance from ICE and the ATF, raided a home in the 10700 block of Mendoza Rd. in Moreno Valley early Friday morning June 16, 2017. Approximately two dozen heavily armed federal agents served arrest and search warrants at the residence, 8 people were detained and handcuffed with at least one being arrested. There was no immediate word on who or what were the targets. An indictment was expected to be unsealed later Friday that would shed light on the case. ( Will Lester-SCNG/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin)

Federal agents with the Department of Homeland Security, along with assistance from ICE and the ATF, raided a home in the 10700 block of Mendoza Rd. in Moreno Valley early Friday morning June 16, 2017. Approximately two dozen heavily armed federal agents served arrest and search warrants at the residence, 8 people were detained and handcuffed with at least one being arrested. There was no immediate word on who or what were the targets. An indictment was expected to be unsealed later Friday that would shed light on the case. ( Will Lester-SCNG/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin)

Federal agents with the Department of Homeland Security, along with assistance from ICE and the ATF, raided a home in the 10700 block of Mendoza Rd. in Moreno Valley early Friday morning June 16, 2017. Approximately two dozen heavily armed federal agents served arrest and search warrants at the residence, 8 people were detained and handcuffed with at least one being arrested. There was no immediate word on who or what were the targets. An indictment was expected to be unsealed later Friday that would shed light on the case. ( Will Lester-SCNG/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin)

Federal agents with the Department of Homeland Security, along with assistance from ICE and the ATF, raided a home in the 10700 block of Mendoza Rd. in Moreno Valley early Friday morning June 16, 2017. Approximately two dozen heavily armed federal agents served arrest and search warrants at the residence, 8 people were detained and handcuffed with at least one being arrested. There was no immediate word on who or what were the targets. An indictment was expected to be unsealed later Friday that would shed light on the case. ( Will Lester-SCNG/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin)

Federal agents with the Department of Homeland Security, along with assistance from ICE and the ATF, raided a home in the 10700 block of Mendoza Rd. in Moreno Valley early Friday morning June 16, 2017. Approximately two dozen heavily armed federal agents served arrest and search warrants at the residence, 8 people were detained and handcuffed with at least one being arrested. There was no immediate word on who or what were the targets. An indictment was expected to be unsealed later Friday that would shed light on the case. ( Will Lester-SCNG/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin)

Federal agents with the Department of Homeland Security, along with assistance from ICE and the ATF, raided a home in the 10700 block of Mendoza Rd. in Moreno Valley early Friday morning June 16, 2017. Approximately two dozen heavily armed federal agents served arrest and search warrants at the residence, 8 people were detained and handcuffed with at least one being arrested. There was no immediate word on who or what were the targets. An indictment was expected to be unsealed later Friday that would shed light on the case. ( Will Lester-SCNG/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin)

Federal agents with the Department of Homeland Security, along with assistance from ICE and the ATF, raided a home in the 10700 block of Mendoza Rd. in Moreno Valley early Friday morning June 16, 2017. Approximately two dozen heavily armed federal agents served arrest and search warrants at the residence, 8 people were detained and handcuffed with at least one being arrested. There was no immediate word on who or what were the targets. An indictment was expected to be unsealed later Friday that would shed light on the case. ( Will Lester-SCNG/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin)

Federal agents with the Department of Homeland Security, along with assistance from ICE and the ATF, raided a home in the 10700 block of Mendoza Rd. in Moreno Valley early Friday morning June 16, 2017. Approximately two dozen heavily armed federal agents served arrest and search warrants at the residence, 8 people were detained and handcuffed with at least one being arrested. There was no immediate word on who or what were the targets. An indictment was expected to be unsealed later Friday that would shed light on the case. ( Will Lester-SCNG/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin)

Federal agents with the Department of Homeland Security, along with assistance from ICE and the ATF, raided a home in the 10700 block of Mendoza Rd. in Moreno Valley early Friday morning June 16, 2017. Approximately two dozen heavily armed federal agents served arrest and search warrants at the residence, 8 people were detained and handcuffed with at least one being arrested. There was no immediate word on who or what were the targets. An indictment was expected to be unsealed later Friday that would shed light on the case. ( Will Lester-SCNG/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin)

Federal agents with the Department of Homeland Security, along with assistance from ICE and the ATF, raided a home in the 10700 block of Mendoza Rd. in Moreno Valley early Friday morning June 16, 2017. Approximately two dozen heavily armed federal agents served arrest and search warrants at the residence, 8 people were detained and handcuffed with at least one being arrested. There was no immediate word on who or what were the targets. An indictment was expected to be unsealed later Friday that would shed light on the case. ( Will Lester-SCNG/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin)

Federal agents with the Department of Homeland Security, along with assistance from ICE and the ATF, raided a home in the 10700 block of Mendoza Rd. in Moreno Valley early Friday morning June 16, 2017. Approximately two dozen heavily armed federal agents served arrest and search warrants at the residence, 8 people were detained and handcuffed with at least one being arrested. There was no immediate word on who or what were the targets. An indictment was expected to be unsealed later Friday that would shed light on the case. ( Will Lester-SCNG/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin)

Federal agents with the Department of Homeland Security, along with assistance from ICE and the ATF, raided a home in the 10700 block of Mendoza Rd. in Moreno Valley early Friday morning June 16, 2017. Approximately two dozen heavily armed federal agents served arrest and search warrants at the residence, 8 people were detained and handcuffed with at least one being arrested. There was no immediate word on who or what were the targets. An indictment was expected to be unsealed later Friday that would shed light on the case. ( Will Lester-SCNG/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin)

Federal agents with the Department of Homeland Security, along with assistance from ICE and the ATF, raided a home in the 10700 block of Mendoza Rd. in Moreno Valley early Friday morning June 16, 2017. Approximately two dozen heavily armed federal agents served arrest and search warrants at the residence, 8 people were detained and handcuffed with at least one being arrested. There was no immediate word on who or what were the targets. An indictment was expected to be unsealed later Friday that would shed light on the case. ( Will Lester-SCNG/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin)

Federal agents with the Department of Homeland Security, along with assistance from ICE and the ATF, raided a home in the 10700 block of Mendoza Rd. in Moreno Valley early Friday morning June 16, 2017. Approximately two dozen heavily armed federal agents served arrest and search warrants at the residence, 8 people were detained and handcuffed with at least one being arrested. There was no immediate word on who or what were the targets. An indictment was expected to be unsealed later Friday that would shed light on the case. ( Will Lester-SCNG/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin)

Federal agents with the Department of Homeland Security, along with assistance from ICE and the ATF, raided a home in the 10700 block of Mendoza Rd. in Moreno Valley early Friday morning June 16, 2017. Approximately two dozen heavily armed federal agents served arrest and search warrants at the residence, 8 people were detained and handcuffed with at least one being arrested. There was no immediate word on who or what were the targets. An indictment was expected to be unsealed later Friday that would shed light on the case. ( Will Lester-SCNG/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin)

Federal agents with the Department of Homeland Security, along with assistance from ICE and the ATF, raided a home in the 10700 block of Mendoza Rd. in Moreno Valley early Friday morning June 16, 2017. Approximately two dozen heavily armed federal agents served arrest and search warrants at the residence, 8 people were detained and handcuffed with at least one being arrested. There was no immediate word on who or what were the targets. An indictment was expected to be unsealed later Friday that would shed light on the case. ( Will Lester-SCNG/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin)

Federal agents with the Department of Homeland Security, along with assistance from ICE and the ATF, raided a home in the 10700 block of Mendoza Rd. in Moreno Valley early Friday morning June 16, 2017. Approximately two dozen heavily armed federal agents served arrest and search warrants at the residence, 8 people were detained and handcuffed with at least one being arrested. There was no immediate word on who or what were the targets. An indictment was expected to be unsealed later Friday that would shed light on the case. ( Will Lester-SCNG/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin)

Federal agents with the Department of Homeland Security, along with assistance from ICE and the ATF, raided a home in the 10700 block of Mendoza Rd. in Moreno Valley early Friday morning June 16, 2017. Approximately two dozen heavily armed federal agents served arrest and search warrants at the residence, 8 people were detained and handcuffed with at least one being arrested. There was no immediate word on who or what were the targets. An indictment was expected to be unsealed later Friday that would shed light on the case. ( Will Lester-SCNG/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin)

Federal agents with the Department of Homeland Security, along with assistance from ICE and the ATF, raided a home in the 10700 block of Mendoza Rd. in Moreno Valley early Friday morning June 16, 2017. Approximately two dozen heavily armed federal agents served arrest and search warrants at the residence, 8 people were detained and handcuffed with at least one being arrested. There was no immediate word on who or what were the targets. An indictment was expected to be unsealed later Friday that would shed light on the case. ( Will Lester-SCNG/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin)

Federal agents arrested 22 reputed members of the Vagos Motorcycle Club in the Inland Empire and elsewhere in Southern California — as well as Northern California and other states — on Friday, June 16, accusing them of committing violence against rival gang members — and even their own — and building their territory through crime and intimidation.

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The arrests were made in the Southern California cities of Alhambra, Baldwin Park, Beaumont, Canyon Country, Fontana, Granada Hills, Pasadena, Moreno Valley and Santa Barbara, as well as Northern California cities such as San Jose and San Francisco; in Hawaii; and in Nevada.

In the past, an attorney for club members has said the group does not condone violence or illegal activity.

Who’s accused of what?

The 23 defendants — one died of natural causes before he could be arrested — are accused of murder; conspiracy to commit racketeering (organized groups operating illegal businesses); kidnapping and assault in aid of racketeering; using and carrying a firearm to commit a violent crime; conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance; stealing a motor vehicle; and aiding and abetting.

The 12-count, 45-page federal grand jury indictment, filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in U.S. District Court in the District of Nevada, was unsealed late Friday morning.

Eight of the Southern California defendants appeared in court for arraignment Friday and were remanded to U.S. Marshals custody with no bail.

The ninth defendant was already in custody on other charges, said Virginia Kice, spokeswoman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Western Region office in Laguna Niguel, in an email Friday.

“I’m told Mr. Voll has already appeared in court and was ordered held without bond,” Kice said.

Moreno Valley raid

Five of those arrested in Southern California were identified in the indictment as leaders of the Vagos. They were: Siemer, of Baldwin Park; Lopez, of Canyon Country; Gillespie, of Granada Hills; Juarez, of Moreno Valley; and Voll, of Pasadena;

According to the indictment, the five of them coordinated criminal activities throughout the U.S. and issued orders to kill rival gang members and subordinate gang members who violated Vagos rules.

Two others arrested in Southern California were identified in the indictment as a sergeant-at-arms. They were: Lozano, of Fontana; and Perez, of Santa Barbara.

The indictment says they were gang enforcers responsible for carrying out orders of senior gang members.

In Moreno Valley on Friday morning, about two dozen agents, along with K-9s, searched a two-story home with a Spanish-tile roof and American flag out front in the 10700 block of Mendoza Road.

Juarez, who has a large Vagos tattoo on his back, was arrested there.

Originally, eight people were detained and handcuffed there as agents determined whether they had warrants out for their arrest or if they had violated probation. They sat on the curb under the watch of heavily armed agents of Homeland Security Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Only Juarez was determined to be a Vagos member.

Some weapons were seized during the 22 arrests, said Matt Rice, assistant special agent in charge for Homeland Security Investigations in Orange County. He declined to elaborate on the number or type.

Prosecutor: These charges will stick

The Vagos, Hells Angels and Mongols are fighting a three-pronged war in California, according to a 2014 report by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and
Explosives on outlaw motorcycle gangs.

Rice declined to discuss whether the Hells Angels and Mongols are being investigated.

This is not the first sweeping arrest of Vagos in the Inland Empire. There was an operation in 2005 and another in 2011. In 2011, Palafox — the Beaumont resident — was charged with stealing a vehicle — a Harley-Davidson — and street terrorism. Lozano was charged with possession of body armor and street terrorism.

But this prosecution will be different, Rice said. He said this is the first time that a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act charge — usually reserved for organized crime syndicates — has been levied against the Vagos.

That means that some of the charges could result in mandatory minimum life sentences in prison, Rice said.

“We hope … what comes out of this today is that we strike a major disruption to the club’s operations,” he said.

Indictment: 103 criminal acts listed

The indictment lists 103 “overt acts” of criminal behavior on the part of the Vagos, which is described as “a criminal organization whose members and associates engaged in, among other criminal activities, narcotics distribution, firearms trafficking and violent acts including murder, kidnapping, assault, extortion, robbery and witness intimidation.”

Among those acts listed in the indictment, in April 2017, Voll, of Pasadena, sent a text message to a former Vagos member stating that “The (expletive) that did it is gonna hurt,” in reference to a fellow Vagos member who killed two fellow chapter members at a San Bernardino bar, according to the indictment.

The incident was in reference to the April 3 shootings of Vagos members Scott Gardner, 45, of Bloomington, and Brian Davis, 43, of San Bernardino, by Joshua Tree resident Beau Gabriel Hempel, 38, at the Sports Page bar at 1225 E. Lynwood Drive.

Hempel is the vice president of the Vagos’ San Bernardino chapter, of which Gardner and Davis were also members, said Lt. Mike Madden, of the San Bernardino Police Department in a telephone interview Friday.

According to Madden, a customer made an offensive comment to Gardner and Davis and a physical confrontation ensued. Hempel stepped in to break it up, and Gardner and Davis did not like that, turning their aggression onto Hempel.

A fight ensued between Gardner, Davis and Hempel that spilled into the bar parking lot, and Hempel drew a handgun to keep his two assailants at bay. He then tried leaving on his motorcycle, Madden said.

“(Hempel) was trying to leave and that is when they charged at him,” Madden said.

Hempel shot Gardner and Davis, who later died of their injuries, Madden said.

Later that night, Hempel turned himself in at the sheriff’s Morongo Basin station in Joshua Tree, Madden said.

The District Attorney’s Office did not charge Hempel with murder, citing self-defense, Madden said.

In another act cited, in January 2017, Albert Lopez agreed to supply a Vagos with copies of a flier announcing a $100,000 reward for a hit against an undercover police officer who had infiltrated Vagos.

In another act, in a recorded telephone call, Andrew Floy Lozano ordered a restaurant owner of the Buffalo Inn in Upland to obtain and turn over video surveillance on rival Brotherhood gang members whom the Vagos believed had booked reservations to celebrate the slaying of a Vagos gang member.

And a fourth example showed how Vagos would turn against their own members. In June 2009, Steven Earl Carr and Robert Alan Coleman and other gang members beat and injured a fellow member, stole his motorcycle and money and forced him to surrender his gang clothing because he failed to pay a “tax” to the Vagos.

Brian Rokos writes about public safety issues such as policing, criminal justice, scams, how law affects public safety, firefighting tactics and wildland fire danger. He has also covered the cities of San Bernardino, Corona, Norco, Lake Elsinore, Perris, Canyon Lake and Hemet. Before that he supervised reporters and worked as a copy editor. For some reason, he enjoys movies where the Earth is threatened with extinction.